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Healthwatch
Ever Hear Of Tonsil Stones?
~3.2 mins read

Illustration of a woman with black hair pulled into a bun, head tipped back, gargling with salt water to relieve sore throat from tonsil stones

Recently, a friend asked me about tonsil stones. He has sore throats several times a year, which are instantly relieved by gargling to remove them. When I told him I thought tonsil stones were pretty rare, he asked: "Are you sure about that? My ear, nose, and throat doctor says they're common as rocks." (Get it? stones? rocks?)

It turns out, my friend and his doctor are on to something. Tonsil stones are surprisingly common and often quite annoying. Here's what to know and do.

What are tonsil stones?

Tonsil stones (medical term: tonsilloliths) are small white or yellow deposits on the tonsils. They develop when bacteria, saliva, food particles, and debris from cells lining the mouth get trapped in tiny indentations called crypts.

They vary considerably between people, including:

  • Size. They may be so small that you can't see them with the naked eye. Or they may grow to the size of gravel or, rarely, much larger.
  • Consistency. They're often soft but may calcify, becoming hard as a rock. Hence, the name.
  • How long they last. Tonsil stones can last days to weeks, or may persist far longer before they break up and fall out.
  • How often they occur. New tonsilloliths may appear several times each month or just once or twice a year.
  • While they're more likely to form if you have poor oral hygiene, good oral hygiene doesn't provide complete protection. Even those who brush, floss, and see their dentists regularly can develop tonsil stones.

    How common are tonsil stones?

    You've heard of kidney stones and gallstones, right? Clearly, those conditions are better known than tonsil stones. Yet tonsil stones are far more common: studies suggest that up to 40% of the population have them. Fortunately, unlike kidney stones and gallstones, tonsil stones are usually harmless.

    What are the symptoms of tonsil stones?

    Often people have no symptoms. In fact, if tonsil stones are small enough, you may not even know you have them. When tonsil stones do cause symptoms, the most common ones are:

  • sore throat, or an irritation that feels as though something is stuck in the throat
  • bad breath
  • cough
  • discomfort with swallowing
  • throat infections.
  • Who gets tonsil stones?

    Anyone who has tonsils can get them. However, some people are more likely than others to form tonsil stones, including those who

  • have tonsils with lots of indentations and irregular surfaces rather than a smooth surface
  • smoke
  • drink lots of sugary beverages
  • have poor oral hygiene
  • have a family history of tonsil stones.
  • How are tonsil stones treated?

    That depends on whether you have symptoms and how severe the symptoms are.

  • If you have no symptoms, tonsil stones may require no treatment.
  • If you do have symptoms, gargling with salt water or removing tonsil stones with a cotton swab or a water flosser usually helps. Avoid trying to remove them with sharp, firm objects like a toothpick or a pen, as that can damage your throat or tonsils.
  • If your tonsils are inflamed, swollen, or infected, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medications.
  • Is surgery ever necessary?

    Occasionally, surgery may be warranted. It's generally reserved for people with severe symptoms or frequent infections who don't improve with the measures mentioned above.

    Surgical options are:

  • tonsillectomy, which is removing the tonsils
  • cryptolysis, which uses laser, electrical current, or radio waves to smooth the deep indentations in tonsils that allow stones to form.
  • Can tonsil stones be prevented?

    Yes, there are ways to reduce the risk that tonsil stones will recur. Experts recommend the following:

  • Brush your teeth and tongue regularly (at least twice a day: in the morning and before sleep).
  • Floss regularly.
  • Gargle with salt water after eating.
  • Eliminate foods and drinks that contain a lot of sugar, which feeds bacteria that can help stones form.
  • Don't smoke, because smoking irritates and inflames tonsils, which can encourage stone formation. The same may apply to vaping, though there is limited research to rely upon.
  • The bottom line

    Considering how common tonsil stones are and how bothersome they can be, it seems strange that they aren't more well known. Maybe that's because they often get better on their own, or people figure out how to deal with them without needing medical attention.

    I hope you aren't one of the many millions of people bothered by tonsil stones. But if you are, it's good to know that they're generally harmless and can be readily treated and prevented.

    Now that you know more about them, feel free to spread the word: tonsil stones should be a secret no more.

    Source: Harvard Health Publishing

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    Healthwatch
    Midlife ADHD? Coping Strategies That Can Help
    ~2.7 mins read

    A laptop sits on a desk alongside glasses, note pads, and a mug; multiple sticky notes in assorted colors are stuck to the wall adjacent to the desk.

    Trouble staying focused and paying attention are two familiar symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a common health issue among children and teens.

    When ADHD persists through early adulthood and on into middle age, it presents many of the same challenges it does in childhood: it's hard to stay organized, start projects, stay on task, and meet deadlines. But now life is busier, and often expectations from work and family are even higher. Fortunately, there are lots of strategies that can help you navigate this time in your life.

    Staying organized

    Organizational tools are a must for people with adult ADHD. They'll help you prioritize and track activities for each day or the coming weeks.

  • Pick the right tools. Tools can include a pen and paper to make lists, or computer or smartphone apps to set appointment reminders, highlight important days on the calendar, mark deadlines, and keep lists and other information handy.
  • Schedule updates. Set aside time each day to update your lists and schedules. Don't let the task become a chore in itself; think of it like a routine task such as brushing your teeth, and do it daily so it becomes an established habit.
  • Set a timer. And a word of caution: smartphones and computers can also turn into a distraction. If you have adult ADHD, you may find yourself spending hours looking at less useful apps or sites. If that's a frequent trap for you, set a timer for each use or keep the phone off or in another room when you are trying to work.
  • Staying focused

    Just being organized doesn't mean your work will get done. But a few simple approaches can at least make it easier to do the work.

  • Declutter your home and office. Give yourself an appealing work environment and keep important items easily accessible.
  • Reduce distractions. This could mean changing your workstation so it doesn't face a window, moving to a quieter space, or just silencing your smartphone and email alerts.
  • Jot down ideas as they come to you. You may have an "aha" moment for one task while you're in the middle of another. That's okay; just write down that thought and get back to it later, after your more pressing work is finished.
  • Meeting deadlines

    Deadlines pose two big challenges when you have adult ADHD. First, it's hard to start a project, often because you want it to be perfect, or you're intimidated by it so you put it off. Second, when you do start a project, it's very easy to become distracted and leave the task unfinished.

    How can you avoid these traps?

  • Put off procrastinating. Put procrastination on your to-do list — like a chore — and fool yourself into actually starting your work.
  • Deal with emails, phone calls, or other matters as soon as you can. That way there will be fewer things hanging over your head and overwhelming you later on.
  • Be a clock watcher. Get a watch and get in the habit of using it. The more aware you are of time, the more likely you'll be able to avoid spending too long on a task.
  • Take one thing at a time. Multitasking is overrated for everyone — and it's a nightmare for people with adult ADHD. Focus on completing one task, then move on to the next.
  • Be realistic about your time. This can mean having to say no to new projects or other commitments.
  • Get more help

    The ideas listed here can help you start coping with adult ADHD, but they may not be enough to help you overcome adult ADHD's challenges.

    Consider hiring an ADHD coach who can provide more strategies and give you additional tools to cope with your condition. Look for an ADHD coach who is a licensed mental health professional who specializes in treating ADHD, and may also have a certification in ADHD coaching from the ADHD Coaches Organization.

    Source: Harvard Health Publishing

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    Healthwatch
    Can You Strong-arm Diabetes?
    ~2.9 mins read

    iStock-133327948

    There is a strong link between diabetes and fitness. Many studies have shown that people with type 2 diabetes lose more muscle mass and strength over time than people with normal blood sugars. This is thought to be a major reason why diabetes is associated with functional limitation, impaired mobility, and loss of independence. Studies have also shown that combining aerobic and resistance training can not only improve blood sugars in people who have diabetes, but can also prevent diabetes from developing.

    For these reasons, scientists are very interested in the relationship between diabetes and fitness, teasing out the differences between muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness.

    In a 2019 study published in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings, researchers looked at 4,681 adults, measured their muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness, and followed them over about eight years. Both upper and lower body muscle strength were measured using bench and leg presses at increasing loads, and participants were scored as having low, medium, or high strength based on the maximum weight lifted per kilogram of body weight.

    They found that those with medium strength had a 32% reduced risk of developing diabetes than those with low strength. This is all fine and good and consistent with prior research. However, they did not see that those with high strength had any further reduction of diabetes risk. As a matter of fact, there was no association at all.

    How could this be?

    The authors focus largely on the also very important cardiorespiratory fitness factor. They point out that those participants with medium strength also tended to have good cardiorespiratory fitness, with good correlation between the two. However, in the low and high strength groups, it was a bit of a mix, with some people in the low strength group having high cardiorespiratory fitness, and vice versa. They point out that there may be added benefit to having both good muscle strength and good cardiorespiratory fitness, not just good muscle strength alone.

    But another consideration is how things like strength and cardiorespiratory fitness are measured. It's important to note that just about every study looking at muscle strength uses a different method than this study. Hand grip strength is very common, for example. One large 2018 study of 8,208 Korean adults found that stronger hand grip strength was significantly associated with lower fasting blood sugars, HbA1c levels, and fasting insulin levels (all markers of prediabetes and diabetes). It's possible that hand grip is somehow a superior method of measuring strength than bench and leg press, or vice versa.

    Maybe cardiorespiratory fitness is the more important factor after all?

    This has been found to be particularly important in diabetes prevention. One large 2018 study out of Japan looked specifically at cardiorespiratory fitness (as measured by oxygen uptake while exercising on a cycle ergometer) in 7,804 men, and followed them over about 20 years, checking several times to see if anyone developed diabetes. They found that higher cardiorespiratory fitness was significantly associated with lower risk of developing diabetes at all follow-up periods. This is a pretty powerful association, though it would be good to do this study in women and in other ethnic groups.

    Let's look at the big picture

    Being in good overall shape, meaning having both decent muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness, is just good for you. Both can very likely lower your risk of developing diabetes, and even if you have diabetes, being fit can improve your blood sugars.

    Follow me on Twitter @drmoniquetello

    Resources

    Association of Muscular Strength and Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, March 11, 2019.

    Accelerated Loss of Skeletal Muscle Strength in Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes Care, June 2007.

    Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Show a Greater Decline in Muscle Mass, Muscle Strength, and Functional Capacity With Aging. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, August 2013.

    Muscle dysfunction in type 2 diabetes: a major threat to patient's mobility and independence. Acta Diabetologica, December 2016.

    Effects of Aerobic and Resistance Training on Hemoglobin A1c Levels in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes. JAMA, November 24, 2010.

    Association between muscle strength and type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults in Korea. Medicine, June 2018.

    Long-term Impact of Cardiorespiratory Fitness on Type 2 Diabetes Incidence: A Cohort Study of Japanese Men. Journal of Epidemiology, May 5, 2018.

    Source: Harvard Health Publishing

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    Instablog9ja
    Findings In Power Sector Will Make You Cry – EFCC Chair Olukoyede
    ~0.6 mins read

    The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has revealed that the extent of corruption within the power sector is distressing enough to bring people to tears.

    Olukoyede made the revelation during an oversight visit by the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes to the EFCC’s headquarters in Abuja, on Tuesday, November 12.

    “As we speak, we are grappling with electricity. If you see some of the investigations we are carrying out within the power sector, you will shed tears.

    People were awarded contracts to supply electricity equipment. Instead of using what they call 9.0 guage, they will go and buy 5.0.

    Every time you see the thing tripping off, the thing gets burnt, and all of that, it falters and it collapses. It’s part of our problems,” he said.

    #Instablog9jaNews #TrendingStory #Awareness #StayUpdated

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    Instablog9ja
    Content Creator Shares Why People Need To Check Their Spouse’s Phones
    ~0.3 mins read

    Content creator has shared why people need to check their spouse’s phones.

    She said another reason why you needed to check your spouse’s phone to protect yourself from s£xually transmitted disease. These will afford you the opportunity to protect yourself against it and also live for people who care for you. It may however end up in a tearful experience, but it better than being infected with an untreatable ailment.

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    Instablog9ja
    Senator Shuaibu Isa Lau’s Wife Reportedly Asks Police To Detain Skit Maker After He Criticised Her Husband Over Road Conditions
    ~1.0 mins read

    Police in Taraba State, reportedly following orders from Hajia Fatima Lau, the wife of Senator Shuaibu Isa Lau of Taraba North, arrested and detained skit maker Nafiu Hassan for several days, according to SaharaReporters.

    Lau is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Deputy Senate Minority Leader.

    Hassan had done a skit where he decried the deplorable condition of roads in the senatorial district. He said that many of the roads are now killing zones due to their bad state.

    However, a source who spoke with the news outlet said: “Nafiu Hassan made a video about a month ago about bad roads and dilapidated health facilities in Taraba North. However, this video led to his arrest last Wednesday and he was detained till Sunday.

    He was arrested by the police on the orders of the Senator’s wife. Nafiu was passing through the Senator’s street while the wife, Hajia Lau, was about to enter her residence in Old Commissioner Quarters in Jalingo.

    So, she saw him and created a scene knowing he was the one that made a video about bad roads and dilapidated healthcare facilities in her husband’s village. She termed that as defamation of character and then ordered policemen attached to her to immediately arrest him. [SWIPE]

    #Instablog9jaNews #TrendingStory #Awareness #StayUpdated

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